Costa Rica fires coach with two qualifiers to go

Rodrigo Kenton has been fired as coach of the Costa Rican national team following the Ticos’ third straight loss in World Cup qualifying.

Just days ago, Costa Rica’s soccer federation gave Kenton a vote of confidence ahead of the final two qualifiers, Oct. 10 vs. Trinidad and Tobago and Oct. 14 at the United States.

(Insert your “You lie!” jokes here).

This is the type of desperation move that is typical of CONCACAF teams. Kenton is as good a coach as has any that has come out of Ticoland, but a number of influential players are no longer responding to him.

Both qualifiers are must-wins if the Ticos are to have a legitimate chance at securing a direct berth to South Africa. Costa Rica sits fourth in the final-round standings, four points behind first-place USA, three behind Mexico and one behind Honduras.